Merck and AABP Recognize WTAMU’s Griffin as Mentor of the Year

CANYON, Texas—Merck Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) honored Dr. Dee Griffin, director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Center at West Texas A&M University, with its coveted Mentor of the Year Award during the annual AABP Conference Sept. 14-16 in Omaha, Neb.

Griffin was recognized for his many contributions to the bovine medicine industry and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of bovine veterinarians. The honor follows on the heels of his being inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame in July.

“We admire Dr. Griffin’s contributions to veterinary medicine and his ongoing passion for being a resource for students,” Norman Stewart, DVM, livestock and technical services manager for Merck Animal Health, said. “We commend him for his ability to engage with and share his experience and knowledge with students and young veterinarians.”

He is widely credited with helping found the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, through which he passionately educates veterinarians and producers on animal husbandry, antibiotic stewardship, health management and other issues related to beef quality.

Raised on a cow-calf operation in western Oklahoma, Griffin took an early interest in beef production, which led him to complete his doctor of veterinary medicine degree (DVM) at Oklahoma State University in 1976 and his Master of Science degree in pathology and ruminant nutrition from Purdue University.

Following graduation, he practiced beef-cattle medicine, mostly in feedyard settings, until taking a faculty position at the University of Nebraska’s Great Plains Veterinary Education Center (GPVEC). After 25 years at the GPVEC, Griffin retired in 2016 and assumed a new role as clinical professor and director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Center (TVMC), located at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.